Mining in Chile is concentrated in the Norte Grande region spanning most of the Atacama Desert. The Atacama Desert lies 60 km southeast of Calama and is known as the driest desert in the world. The biggest challenge for mining companies is the lack of water, which is vital to the mining processes for concentrating and leaching. Most mining companies extract water from aquifers located high in the Andes Mountains, while some get it pumped from the coast.
The mine that requested a solution from RUD, extracted copper and molybdenum ore from depths of 1000 mts. This mine used a pump that transported water through 144 km of pipes from the coast to the mine site.
The pump to transport water was huge, and its size and weight over several tonnes posed several challenges during maintenance and repair work. The mining company could only use shackles rated at 40kg per shackle and the weight of the total number of shackles to raise the pump made it impossible with this option.
To solve the weight problem, RUD offered a solution of using adjustable ICE endless chains with a nominal thickness of 16 mm. ICE endless chains are used to lash an object directly without lashing or lifting points. The advantage of ICE endless chains is that it can be secured and opened without tools and the chain can be adjusted in its loop diameter. The ICE endless chain can be used with an ICE multi-shortening claw to form a closed chain.
A safe solution weighing only 11 kg per chain with the overall weight reduced by 70%.
For more details on how RUD can help with your lifting requirements, please call us on 07 3809 1300 or fill out an enquiry form here.
Sources:


When you are casting 100T concrete girders, there is little margin for error, and big savings can be generated if cost-effective solutions are provided. The benefit of engaging RUD was reflected in the fact that all girders were installed on time and without incident.
As a business, we could not have been more impressed with the RUD team.

Customers need minimal downtime to avoid business losses. The Finkbeiner hoists are a game changer. We no longer turn away work, and we can manage workflow effectively.
Their ease of charging and simple operation optimise productivity. The built-in safety features ensure my team is safe when working under the vehicles.

We are happy to deal with RUD because of their product quality, customer service and competitive pricing. They are very efficient when submitting quotes with a short lead time and are always available when we need them.
Onsite support is excellent and always professional.

RUD Chains has a great product with an exceptional back-up and field service. We have previously bought from Chinese manufacturers and European companies, but we will stay with RUD due to the quality of the product and availability of service personnel.

Patterson Crane Hire loves a challenge and RUD lifting gear helps us solve these challenges. The weight saving gains when we use their Grade 120 ICE range really makes a difference and minimises our risk when we are managing difficult, heavy lifts.
Simply put, this is why we choose to work with quality suppliers like RUD.

At Holcim Werribee we rely on RUD Tyre Protection Chains. Their strong expertise and professionalism is on display when they fit and maintain our chains on site. The team works hard to keep us safe, enable our machines to stay in operation and minimise our costs.

Air & Allied Sales (Pacific) has partnered with RUD Chains for the past 25 years to deliver outstanding engineered solutions. The professional and continued relationship with RUD allows us to continue to support our customers above and beyond their needs.
RUD Chains are both quality suppliers and supportive business partners; we would recommend them without hesitation.

At ACRAN, we are always excited to provide innovative, quality technical solutions for the industrial ventilation, filtration, and noise control markets.
We completed a project in which RUD provided a controlled drive solution for an engineered lift and fulfilled the requirements and we are grateful to RUD for being a trusted partner.

At Gemilang, we are confident that our high-quality Endurequip Portalifts and vehicle stands will continue to serve us well as we build more buses for the Australian market.
They provide us unparalleled underbody access, reassuring our clients that every single bus component is designed, manufactured, secured and inspected thoroughly by our engineers and technicians.

The team at Jilalan appreciates the quality service you provided in designing, fabricating, and commissioning our platforms for our Wagon remediation project.
RUD's attention to detail and excellent communication skills ensured that our project was completed to the highest standard and exceeded our expectations. We are grateful to RUD for their commitment.

Grima Recycling has been working with the RUD team to realise our plant expansion project. The modular RUD chain conveyor has proved reliable and effective for transferring our recycled products from the loader hopper and up the inclined slope as part of our new process line.
The regular contact and support provided by RUD complements the quality of the RUD system.

ENCO Precast has been involved with RUD for over 10 years now, predominantly for the supply of the Philipp Group Lifting Hoops for Prestressed Precast Concrete elements for bridges.
The engineering support led by RUD's Engineering Manager, Matt Pauli, has always been outstanding and has kept us loyal to RUD.

RUD’s service and product support have been excellent. We are happy to recommend RUD to anyone who has problems with their tyre life.